simplicity English · revision 39808

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c1380, G. Chaucer, translation of Boethius|origins=la simplex}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /sɪmˈplɪsɪti/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is partly [[bor|xno|simplicité]] and partly [[bor|la|simplicitās|t=simpleness, frankness, candour]],^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(ODE 2010) from [[m|la|simplex|t=simple]] and the suffix that gives English [[-ity]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Dictionary.com 2016) The AHD traces ''simplex'' to the Indo-European root [[ine-pro|*sem-|t=one, as one]].^(AHD 2024) The Anglo-Norman Dictionary records ''simplicité'' from the early 12th century, already meaning unpretentiousness, innocence and simple-mindedness.^(AND) Etymonline notes that Middle English also had [[m|enm|simplesse]] from French, and an older [[m|enm|simplete|t=lack of ostentation]], from about 1200.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Barnhart and Etymonline give about 1380, in Chaucer's translation of Boethius, where it means singleness of nature, unity.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The OED's first quotation, for the quality of having a simple form or structure, is from a1398, in Trevisa's translation of Bartholomaeus Anglicus.^(OED 2026)^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As in Anglo-Norman, the word was used both kindly and unkindly.^(AND)^(OED 2026) Lack of knowledge or common sense, foolishness, is recorded from c1450 by the OED;^(OED 2026) Barnhart's date is 1514 and Etymonline's about 1400;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from 1633 to 1860 ''a simplicity'' could even mean a simpleton.^(OED 2026) Plainness of style, freedom from ornament in speech or writing, is recorded from ?a1475,^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline) and sincerity or guilelessness from a1500,^(OED 2026) Barnhart dating artlessness to 1526.^(Barnhart 1988) Johnson (1755) put “plainness; artlessness; not subtility; not cunning” first.^(Johnson 1755) Plain or frugal living, the sense behind ''the simple life'', dates from 1542, and absence of decoration from 1593.^(OED 2026) The plural, for the uncomplicated aspects of a thing, is recorded from 1826,^(OED 2026) and something easy to do has been ''a simplicity'' since 1843.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c1200 – the older word ''simplete'', lack of ostentation.^(Etymonline)

+ * c1380 – singleness of nature, unity.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * a1398 – simple form or structure.^(OED 2026)

+ * c1450 – lack of knowledge or common sense.^(OED 2026)

+ * ?a1475 – plainness of style.^(OED 2026)

+ * a1500 – sincerity, guilelessness.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1542 – plain or frugal living.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1593 – absence of ornament.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1843 – something easy to do.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The quality of being simple or easy to understand or do; absence of [[complexity]]: ''The plan's appeal lay in its simplicity.''^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # Plainness of style, dress or way of life; freedom from [[ornament]] or luxury.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)

+ # Sincerity and lack of pretence; [[innocence]].^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)

+ # Lack of sense or education; foolishness.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[oversimplicity]]

+ * [[supersimplicity]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[simple]]

+ * [[simplex]]

+ * [[simplify]]

+ * [[simpleton]]

+ * [[single]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}